Dear Gemini39 , I am shocked ! - I thought I WAS the only American on this site to bash the states - What other yank is trying to crowd into my racket ? - I want names !

Anyway , of all the Canadian sites I've seen - this is one of the most restrained with regard to anti -americanism . People all over the world are getting pretty bent over the way the U.S. government is acting , and while I do think Canadians sometimes are excessive , often times they bring up relevant points when criticizing the states . As for me , I like to use humor and sarcasm often when I criticize the U.S. , because it provides me with a way to vent my frustrations .
Along the lines of what the Reverend said , The basic premise of America is wonderful , but somehow it's gotten screwed up along the way . My humble opinion is that it really started to come unraveled in the early 50's , despite occassional bouts of greatness over the next several decades . What we have today , in principal , I doubt would be recognizable to our founding fathers . And as for Canada , I often see things in the canadian news that cause me to cringe , because I'll say to myself - " That sounds like something that happens here in the states ." I purposely posted " The Vanishing Country " thing because I'd hoped it would spark some debate amoung Canadians regarding the problems and dangers they face . And as I have stated more than a few times - I KNOW CANADA IS NOT PERFECT . I just happen to prefer the way folks do things up there , and I like what I've heard about the society . For that matter , I've also heard similar things about New Zealand .
You have met some wonderful americans while being down here , and I'm thinking that maybe Iowa is a little bit closer to what's good about the U.S. . I do know that my city /area just a decade ago was characterized by reserved , yet decent , hard working and compassionate people . On the down side , they tended not to care to much for folks with really good tans ( if ya know what I mean ). Today, most of these folks have moved to other areas , or keep to themselves , and some are simply dying off from eating too much of the wrong foods . What I see now are people not any different than those I have encountered in MUCH larger cities like Atlanta , Cleveland , Tampa , St. Louis , Charlotte , Memphis , etc. . I see young guys who look like they'd just as soon kill me , then " allow " me to drive on the same road as them , and judging from the considerable incidents of road rage here - thats not an irrational perception on my part . Occassionaly I hear of or see some of the decent people left in this area , but as I seek them out , they seem to be getting harder to find . Perhaps it's different where you live in Iowa - that's one state I've never been to .
One thing that affects us all , Americans and Canadians alike , are the actions of the U.S .government - Are you comfortable with the decisions being made by the present administration ? Me personally , I've got a few questions . The problem is , to ask those questions is to be labled " anti - American " . What the hell happened to the stock market ? Was OUR president truly elected ? What's the hold up on the 9/11 investigations ? How come Sadam has to be bombed RIGHT NOW because he poses an imminent threat , yet Kim jong Il is waving his prick in Bush's face - but that is a situation that can be solved diplomatically ? I , along with a few others have brought up ( and posted links to ) some VERY questionable things our government is doing . Maybe it's better to heed the advice given to dissenters in the 60's - " My country : Right OR Wrong . "
Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong in my perception of Canada and it's people . If I have an inaccurate view of the country and society , I'd like to know so I can plan accordingly . If it's destined to become just like the U.S. - or it already is , then let me know . That way I can devote more energies to researching new Zealand , and think about moving there . And if THEY are screwed up too , then I'll concentrate on maybe moving to someplace else nice - like Iowa
